Opening the black box of trade missions : an action research approach

The aim of the present research is to contribute to the understanding in what way trade missions work most effectively. To be more precise this research tries to redefine the definition of trade missions by scrutinizing an entire trade mission organization from its first moment on. The research group organizes a trade mission to Turkey consisting of eight Dutch firms that voluntarily participate in the mission. The participants are chosen based on certain criteria and are fully committed to the project as they receive a guidance program to improve their capabilities prior to the trade mission trip.